GrammarJLPT N1Verb ようにも Verb れない (〜you ni mo 〜renai)

Verb ようにも Verb れない (〜you ni mo 〜renai)

JLPT N1

Explanation

Expresses the inability to do something even if one wants/tries.

Formation

Verb-volitional form + にも + (potential negative form / reason)

Detailed Explanation

This grammar shows that you want (or try) to do something (volitional form), but cannot due to some obstacle. Often it appears as 'Verb-volitional + にも + Verb (potential negative)' or simply 'Verb-volitional + にも + (reason you can't)'.

Examples

彼を信じようにも信じられない証拠がある。

Kare o shinjiyou ni mo shinjirarenai shouko ga aru.

Even if I want to believe him, there's evidence that prevents me from doing so.

早く出発しようにも車が故障してしまった。

Hayaku shuppatsu shiyou ni mo kuruma ga koshou shite shimatta.

Even if I want to leave early, my car has broken down.

彼に電話しようにも電話番号を知らない。

Kare ni denwa shiyou ni mo denwa bangou o shiranai.

I want to call him, but I don’t know his phone number.

もっと勉強しようにも時間がない。

Motto benkyou shiyou ni mo jikan ga nai.

I want to study more, but there is no time.

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.